Tabanus novaescotiae
Macquart, 1847
Nova Scotia horse fly
Tabanus novaescotiae is a of horse fly in the Tabanidae, first described by Macquart in 1847. The species is distributed across eastern North America, with confirmed records from Canada and the United States. Like other horse flies, it belongs to a group of biting flies known for their robust bodies and large . The specific epithet references Nova Scotia, suggesting the type locality or an early collection location.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Tabanus novaescotiae: /tɑˈbɑːnəs noʊˈvæskəˌtaɪ/
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Distribution
Canada (Nova Scotia and surrounding eastern provinces), United States (northeastern states including Vermont). Distribution records indicate presence in the eastern Nearctic region.
More Details
Nomenclature Note
The specific epithet 'novaescotiae' is a Latinized genitive form referring to Nova Scotia, Canada. This follows the convention of naming after geographic locations. The species was established by Pierre-Justin-Marie Macquart, a prominent French dipterist, in 1847.
Taxonomic Status
While Catalogue of Life lists this name as a synonym, GBIF and iNaturalist treat it as an accepted . This discrepancy may reflect ongoing taxonomic revision or differences in taxonomic authority between databases.